After completing her BA and MA in Fashion Womenswear at the prestigious Central Saint Martins, Claudia Catzeflis ran a shop on Redchurch Street in Shoreditch, selling clothes, books and accessories by new designers. Fast forward to now, and all seems to be changing for the better; she was recently named as one of the winners of the BFC/Elle Talent Launch Pad 2011/12 which allowed her present her debut collection during London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012.

Catzeflis is definitely a woman with strong individual style, defined by hand crafted silk fabric and special finishes. Her S/S 2012 collection, which featured unique and deluxe pieces, was inspired by the ’70s resort glamour and Madame Grès.

I caught up with Claudia before her début at London Fashion Week to chat about her current collection, childhood dreams and her love for jeans…

How did you and fashion first meet?

I originally started doing fashion as my foundation course at college. Then, I got into music styling and film, but ended up being involved in fabrics. My ideas then naturally moved into the fashion industry.

Who have you worked with so far?

I haven’t had any collaboration so far as this is my first season. Obviously, I work with different designers within my own team but I haven’t worked with any companies yet.

Which designer would you most like to meet?

Christian Lacroix and Karl Lagerfeld. They are icons.

Your favourite era for design and why?

That is quite hard. I cannot narrow it down. I’m quite into 1920’s at the moment. I think that the silhouette is beautiful. It’s quite simple yet clothing is exquisite. A lot of hand work, something that in a way has died out. I really like the clean lines and the modernist lines.

Briefly about your current collection?

It’s all about layering, pattern, graphics, very soft colour contrasted with bold, neutral black and white.

What did you like to become when you were a child?

Many things. My first ambition when I was a very small child was to be a farm truck driver but I think at some point I also wanted to be a painter. I was probably 8 or something.

What kind of music do you listen to at the moment?

I listen to what is on my iPlayer really and that would be Johnny Cash. I also like Belle and Sebastian and Florence and the Machine. These sorts of things.

Your favourite piece in your wardrobe?

That would probably be my jeans. I wear jeans every day, except of course events like LFW (laughs). Obviously, there are pieces that I love, that I have collected. I have a couple of dresses that I found as samples about 7 years ago. They are just wonderful.

Where can we find your clothes?

It’s my first season so at the moment I am talking to some retailers. It’s in development.